The creation of Douglas chief engineer, Ed Heinemann, the Skyhawk went against the 1950's trend for ever larger combat a/c. Initially weighing less than half the 30,000 lbs stipulated by the US Navy, the A-4 quickly showed is was still capable of carrying out all missions required of it. By Vietnam, the A-4 had become the backbone of the Navy and Marine Corps light attack force and has seen active service extended to current times.